Duotone Carve 3.0: test and review

Are you passionate about wingfoiling and searching for a wing foil that delivers both high performance and versatility? The DUOTONE CARVE 3.0 (SLS & D/LAB) could be your perfect match. We've gathered expert reviews from riders who have put this foil through its paces. Our goal is to give you a complete overview of the CARVE 3.0 foils' performance, highlighting their advantages, technical specifications, and community feedback. The Carve 3.0 and other foils are in the wing foils section of the shop.

USEFUL INFO
DUOTONE CARVE 3.0 (SLS & D/LAB)

Improved ride and pumping

A significant improvement over the Carve 2.0 model.

Thoughtful construction

HM carbon construction, reducing weight while ensuring better stiffness.

Increased responsiveness

Fast rail-to-rail transitions and precise maneuvers.

More speed and control on the wave

Better drive to maintain momentum and surf longer.

THE TESTS
DUOTONE CARVE 3.0 (SLS & D/LAB)

Yann Rifflet's review Seb Bivaud's review

REVIEW BY YANN RIFFLET
DUOTONE CARVE 3.0 (SLS & D/LAB)

Before we dive in, we want to thank Yann Rifflet for his quality content. We invite you to follow and support him on his YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4t_wxFqD08

Introduction

The Duotone Carve 3.0 is agile, fast, and allround. It is my go-to for most sessions, whether wing foil or surf foil. Here is my full review after several months on the water.

An allround, performance-oriented foil

The Duotone Carve 3.0 quickly became my favorite foil for wing foiling and surf foiling. Designed for waves and freestyle, it remains accessible thanks to its versatility and ease of use. This model combines handling, speed, and stability, all while maintaining a unique playful feel.

On the water, the Carve 3.0 takes off early, accelerates effortlessly, and remains perfectly controllable in all conditions.

The Carve 3.0's place in the Duotone range

Duotone offers several foil ranges, each suited to a specific style. The Free is for beginners and progression.
The Glide prioritizes high aspect and long-distance riding, while the Carve is positioned as the most agile and responsive option. This handling is precisely what attracts me, as it allows for easy carving, smooth surfing, and impressive pop for jumping.

Within the range, you'll also find the Blitz for freerace, the Whizz for surf, the Hyperglide for downwind, the AMP for dockstart, and the Lift for larger beginners.

Two constructions, two different approaches

The Carve 3.0 comes in two distinct versions. The SLS combines its front wing with a 60 or 66 cm aluminum fuselage, secured with three M8 screws.

The D/LAB, on the other hand, features an integrated carbon half-fuselage with the front wing. This reduces weight, increases stiffness, and eliminates drag from the fastenings. While the wing shape remains identical, the carbon version provides a more direct and lighter feel, particularly appreciated by demanding riders.

Designed for handling and stability

The Carve 3.0's design adopts a moderate aspect ratio of 7 (for the 800), placing it in the mid-aspect foils category. Its wide central section ensures both lift and pop, while its refined tips facilitate tight turns. The centrally curved profile allows for quick take-off, and the tips enhance stability. The result is an intuitive, precise foil capable of adapting to all riding styles.

Significant evolutions

The Carve 3.0 addresses the weaknesses of the previous model. For example, glide has been significantly improved, first in handling thanks to the new, smaller PX stabilizers, and also in stability, particularly during landings. Lift remains identical, but with a reduced surface area. This allows the 800, for instance, to offer the same take-off as the old 850, but with more speed and lightness.

My size choices based on conditions

For my body size of 1.77 m and 74 kg, the 800 is my go-to foil. It is ideal for taking off in light winds while remaining agile and fast. The 650 is ideal for sessions with more wind (from 14-16 knots), offering a fast ride. The 500 is reserved for smaller riders and powerful waves, while the 950 is perfect for prone surf foil due to its ease of pumping. For an allround quiver, the ideal is 950 + 800.

My verdict

The Carve 3.0 truly impresses with its fluidity, precision, and versatility. It's playful and radical when conditions allow, yet remains accessible and confidence-inspiring. Thanks to its improvements over the 2.0, this foil sets a new benchmark for anyone seeking top performance in surf foil, wing foil freestyle, or freeride. For me, it's a solid investment for progression and pure enjoyment.

THE TEST BY SEB BIVAUD
DUOTONE CARVE 3.0 D/LAB 800

Here's Seb Bivaud's test of the DUOTONE CARVE D/Lab 800 Front Wing. We appreciate his feedback.

Introduction

My experience is based on two test sessions with the Sky Style 65 liters and the Carve D/Lab 800 Front Wing.

First session with a 4.5 m² wing

For my first session, I used a 4.5 m² wing in conditions between 13 and 16 knots. I have to say, the handling was immediate. Take-off is quick, even in light wind. Compared to the Glide 900, the ride is shorter, but the agility the Front Wing provides quickly makes up for it, even if it requires more maneuvering. Honestly, I didn't even feel like I was doing worse than with the Glide 900.

Second session with a 3.5 m² wing

The second session was a bit more turbulent, with wind between 20 and 25 knots. For this, I used a 3.5 m² wing. The first thing I noticed was the agility and comfort of the Front Wing. It's more maneuverable and faster than the Glide, but note that the ride in the swells is shorter. With the Carve, you can turn on a dime, which is much better, and the speed the Front Wing provides is even more enjoyable in the swell. To get a better sense of it, I swapped the foil for the Glide 2.0 D/Lab 780. I immediately noticed that riding with the Glide was much stiffer. Ultimately, I quickly got used to the Carve's handling and comfort, so much so that I put it back on 20 minutes later.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a maneuverable and comfortable foil, this is perfect for you, and it's even more fun than the Glide.

Discover the Duotone Carve 3.0 D/LAB